Top Ten "Non-Punk" CDs for Punk Rawkers.
Apr 09 '00 (Updated Apr 11 '00)
A lot of the people I know who are into punk have tunnel vision. They can't see outside of the genre. It is important for them understand where that most of the ideas in punk did not originate within the scene, nor much of the style. This list is no where near complete, but it will give you something of a start. I'm sure the King of Epinions, Chris Bickel could do a much better job.
First up is a set of Proto-punk.
"Kick Out the Jams"- MC 5
This is arguably where the power and the fury in modern rock music was unleashed. Sounds like a cross between the Grateful Dead and the Sex Pistols. Plus, at the very beginning of the title track, they use the F word. Nearly unheard of at the time. It is a live recording, and the sound quality is not the best in the world, but I have heard worse on studio releases, and if you are a "true punk" any way, you won't mind.
"Raw Power"- Iggy and the Stooges
If the MC 5 unleashed the power, Iggy refined it, but kept the rawness. This is mean music, loud music, sure to annoy your parents, even though it came out when they should have been listening to it.
"New York Dolls"- New York Dolls
Balls out, roaring rock and roll. These guys pushed the boundaries of taste, while setting the sneering tone and blazing guitar sound for all to follow. Johnny Thunders was a genius, the main influence for the guitar of Ramones and the Sex Pistols.
Now while some already consider the above to be punk, the rest will probably come out of left field for the average hardcore punker.
"Greatest Hits '74-'78"- Steve Miller Band
Please forget that awful song he did in the 80's, even though the video was kind of cool. Most of you are probably scratching your heads at this one, but what is one of the most important qualities of a good punk song? I hear people mention this all the time in reviews. Catchiness! Just about no one is as catchy as Steve Miller.
"Greatest Hits"- The Ventures
Without surf music, there would be no Pennywise, no Groovie Ghoulies, no skate punk. Listen to this stuff. Trust me, you'll probably like it.
Anything before "Highway 61 Revisited"- Bob Dylan
Odds are, you won't like the way it sounds. This is pre rock-n-roll Bob Dylan, mostly folk music. You can ignore the love songs, but pay attention to the protest songs. I know I'll take a lot of flack for being a hippie, but there really isn't all that much difference between hippies and punks, if you listen to what they want ,in the way of politics. And don't give me the Sex Pistols BS, they knew nothing serious about anarchy. Go compare this to the Clash.
"Have I Offended Someone?"- Frank Zappa
This collection avoids those long solos that punks generally hate. It could show a thing or two about being shocking to all those antisocial punks bad attitude punks out there though. And it's funny as hell. make sure to read the booklet too.
"Attack of the Killer B's"- Anthrax
Just like with the hippies, I gotta point out that often there is not much difference between punk and metal. This collection of mostly upbeat lighthearted metal tunes is likely to be fairly accessible to most punks.
"Fear of a Black Planet"- Public Enemy
OK, does this really need any explanation? Political rap that carries much of the same message as punk. None of that gangsta bull here. And unlike most of today's rap, they actually have skills.
"Cheating at Solitaire"- Mike Ness
This should be extremely accessible to punks. Even though it is only a couple of years old, it does a great job of showing some of punk's rockabilly roots. And of course Mike Ness's reputation as leader of Social Distortion can't hurt. Actually, "Under the Influence" might be even better for this list, but I preferred his first solo album.
The list could go on for at least another ten, but I'll leave that to someone who knows more what they are talking about. Some great additions might be some Lou Reed, The Who, Rolling Stones, Bo Diddley, Woody Guthrie, Jerry Lee Lewis, or Chuck Berry, maybe even some Black Sabbath. Come on people, broaden your horizons.
Everyone, please leave your comment! I'd love to hear what the educated of the punk scene out there have to offer.
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PezKing
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